RENO COUNTY, Kan. – Jerry L. Allen was convicted on August 14, 2026, by a Reno County jury for the crimes of intentional, premeditated first-degree murder of Michael McKeown and conspiracy to commit intentional, premeditated first-degree murder. The crimes occurred between March 23 and March 24, 1982. The defendant was arrested by agents of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation in 2024 after this cold case was reopened for investigation. The case was referred to the Reno County District Attorney’s Office in 2024, and the complaint was subsequently filed charging the defendant with these crimes.
The victim in this case, Michael McKeown, was discovered in his vehicle behind his residence at 320 Sherman the morning of March 24, 1982. Mr. McKeown had been shot three times. The Reno County District Attorney’s Office thanks the efforts of the Hutchinson Police Department and the Kansas Bureau of investigation for their diligent work in solving this cold case.
The defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2026, at 1:30 PM in Division II of the Reno County District Court.
